Window hinge

ABSTRACT

A hinge for pivotally supporting an awning mounted window sash for angular opening and closing movement relative to a window frame including a friction device slidably mountable on the window frame, a first link pivotally connected to the friction device and the window sash, a second link pivotally connected to the window frame and the window sash, a third link pivotally connected to the friction device and the second link, and gearing connecting the first and third links for equal angular movement so that when the lower part of the sash is pushed outwardly the upper end of the sash also swings outwardly. A pair of hinges are required respectively at opposite sides of the sash.

United States Patent 9] Stavenau et al.

[111 3,838,537 4 51 Oct. 1, 1974 [5 1 WINDOW HINGE [75] Inventors:Harold L. Stavenau; Wayne C.

' Bates, both of Owatonna, Minn.

[73] Assignee: Truth Incorporated, Owatonna,

Minn.

22 Filed: July 2,1973

21 Appl. No.: 375,855

52 US. Cl.. 49/248, 49/251- 51 Int. Cl E05d 15/44 58 Field of Search49/24s-251 ['56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,767,97910/1956 Hummert 49/250 X 2,784,459 3/1957 Anderberg et al.... 49/2483,020,604 2/1962 Bransford, J-r. '49/25l 3,509,663 5/1970 Miller 49/251X 22 g lk 7 1'55 f i i I Primary Examinerl(enneth Downey Attorney,Agent, or Fi rmWegner, Stellman, McCord, Wiles & Wood 57 ABSTRACT Ahinge for pivotally supporting an awning mounted window sash for angularopening and closing movement relative to a window frame including afriction device slidably mountable on the window frame, a first linkpivotally connected to the friction device and the window sash, a secondlink pivotally connected to the window frame and the window sash, athird link pivotally connected to the friction device and the secondlink, and gearing connecting the first and third links for equal angularmovement so that when the lower part of the sash is pushed outwardly theupper end of the sash also swings outwardly. A pair of hinges arerequired respectively at opposite sides of the sash.

8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PAIENTED Hm I i974 SHEHIUFZ WINDOW HINGEBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a hinge forsupporting and controlling angular movement of a casement, awning orhopper type window sash relative to a window frame, so that the sash ismovable to an angularly inclined position in which the outside of thesash is accessible from the inside for purposes of cleaning.

In the past it has been customary to mount sashes by means of a mountingbar secured to the window frame, a mounting bar secured to the windowsash, and a pair of links each having opposite ends pivotally connectedto the bars, in an arrangement sometimes referred to as a four barlinkage. In order to hold the window in open position, a friction devicehas been slidably mounted on the window frame bar and connected bylinkage with the window sash to retard sash movement. In general, US.Pat. Nos. 2,784,459 and 3,345,777 relate to hinges of the typedescribed. Additionally, US. Pat. No. 2,746,101 relates to an awningtype sash with a friction device for holding the sash in open position.

Prior friction devices for yieldably holding a window sash in adjustedpositionshave usually included adjustment screws which requiremanipulation from time to time in order to compensate for wear andmaterial fatigue. It has also been found that prior four bar linkageshave often been arranged in a manner such that application ofopeningforce at one edge of the sash results in inward movement of theopposite edge of the sash in amanner which scuffs the Weatherstrippingand results in premature deterioration.

As a result of experiencewith prior art devices, it

would be desirable to improve the construction in a manner to avoid therequirement of repeated adjustment of friction retarding devices and inamanner to prolong the life of Weatherstripping.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present inventionto provide a hinge for pivotally supporting and controlling angularopening and closing movement of a window sash embodying a linkagearrangement with gearing connecting a pair of links in a manner suchthat application of opening force at one edge of the window sash has theeffect of also moving the opposite edge of the window sash away from thewindow frame-without damage to Weatherstripping normally utilizedbetween the confronting faces of the window sash and the window framewhen the sash is in closed position.

A more specific object is to provide a four bar hinge linkage of thetype described for supporting a window sash for angular movementrelative to a window frame including a mounting member attachable to awindow sash, a mounting member attachable to a window frame, a plateslidably mounted on the window frame member, a first link pivotallyconnected to the plate and the window sash member, a second linkpivotally connected to the window frame member and the window sashmember, a third link pivotally connected to the plate and the secondlink, and gearing connecting the first and third links for equal angularmovement so that when one edge of the sash moves outwardly, the oppositeedge also moves outwardly relative to the window frame.

A further object is to provide'a new and improved friction deviceassociated with a hinge linkage for pivframe member, and means urgingthe friction pads toward the window frame member.

More specifically, the friction device comprises a plate of frictionalmaterial slidably'mounted in a channel in the window frame member andhaving bifurcated opposite ends together with means biasing thebifurcated end portions outwardly to engage the side walls of thechannel, in a manner such that the biasing means inherentlyautomatically adjusts for wear without the requirement of repeatedadjustments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS closed position and with the windowsash omitted;

FIG. 3 s a front elevational view of the linkage illustrated in FIG. 2;I

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken at about the line4-4 of FIG. 3, illustrating the friction device;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken at about the line 55of FIG. 4;and

FIG. 6-is a transverse sectional view taken at about the line 6-6 ofFIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION-OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A hinge embodying theprinciples of this invention may be adapted to support and controlmovement of a casement, awning or hopper type window sash relative to awindowframe, and it is to be understood that application of same to ametal frame awning sash window' herein is exemplary. Such type of windowis'illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 and 6, and comprises a window framegenerally indicated by the numeral 20 and a horizontally pivotedoutwardly swining sash generally designated by the numeral 21.

The window frame 20 may comprise a sill 22, a head .23 and side jambs asat 24 joined atthe ends thereof to form a unitary structure. The sash 20may comprise a frame in the form of a top rail 25, a bottom rail 26 andside stiles as at 27 joined at the ends thereof to form a unitarystructure. The said sash frame supports a glass pane 28 retained bytypical glazing stops 29 and sealing I compound 30. The sash 20 may beweather-sealed by a Weatherstrip 31 supported in sash marginal flange 32and contacting window frame confronting surface 33, and a Weatherstrip34 supported in window frame marginal flange 35 and contacting sashframe confronting surface 36.

In an awning type window, the bottom rail 26 of the sash swingsoutwardly, as is showri in FIG. 1. Similar hinges are used at oppositesides to support the sash and are located respectively in the cavitybetween each frame jamb 24 and confronting sash stile 27. A hinge isshown at the right side herein, and the left-hand hinge is similar.

Referring now to the hinge structure in detail, it comprises a mountingmember 38 attachable to a window frame and mounting member 39 attachableto a window sash, together with a first link 40 and a second link 41 forpivotally supporting the sash member 39. The

frame member 38 is generally bar-shaped and of channel formation incross section (FIG. 6), with a web 42 and side flanges 43 with inwardlyturned'edges 43a,

.to a friction slide 46 mounted in the channel of the frame member 38.

The second link 41 is pivotally connected at 50 to the sash member 39.The opposite end of the link 41 is pivotally connected at 53 to theframe member 38. If desired, link 41 may-include a reinforcing rib as at47. The web 42 of the window frame member 38 has a round screw hole fora screw 57 (FIG. 1), and a pair of vertically elongated apertures forscrews 58 which fasten the member 38 to the window frame jamb 24. Thesash member 39 has a round hole 60 (FIG. 2) and two vertically elongatedapertures 61 through which fastening screws extend to attach the member39 to the sash stile 27.

When the window sash 21 is arranged for manual opening and closing, andis not equipped with a selflocking operator such as a gear and crankhandle type manual operator, it is essential that friction means beprovided to hold the sash in a wide range of angular open positions.Such function is performed by the sliding friction device 46. As bestseen in FIGS. 4, and

In order to assure movement of the upper edge of the window outwardlyaway from the window frame when the lower edge of the window is manuallypushed outwardly, the link and the link 74 are-connected by gearingwhich assures that the two links move pivot-ally outwardly throughsimilar angles relative to the friction slide 65. As illustrated herein.the end of the link 40 is formed with gear teeth 80 which mesh with gearteeth 82 formed on the end of the link 74. Referring to FIG. 2, it willbe noted that outward force applied to the lower end of the sash member39 tends to pivot the member 39 about the pivotal mounting 50, resultingin an inward force at the upper end of the sash member 39. Such inwardforce, if not opposed, would result in undue compression of the sealingstrips 31 and 34 leading to premature deterioration. With the gearingarrangement illustrated. connecting the links 40 and 74 for uniformangular motion, outward movement of the lower portion of the sash hasthe effect of swinging the connecting link 74 outwardly, as a result ofwhich the intermeshing gear teeth also swing the link 40 outwardly,thereby moving the window portions 32 and 36 away from the confrontingfaces of the window frame in a mariner to avoid the'scuffing andcrushing of weatherstripping 31 and 34 which leads to prematuredeterioration. 1

In operation, as the sash 21 swings from closed position to openposition, the link 41 pivots about the mounting 53, and the pivotalconnection swings through an arcuate path designated a in FIG. 1. At thesame time, the relatively short link 40 travels in an ar- 6, thefriction device 46 comprises a generally rectangular plate 65 ofsuitable friction material such as nylon disposed within the channel ofthe frame member 38 and having side edges underlying the return bends43a of .the channel sides 43. The friction plate 65 is recessedcentrally at opposite ends as seen at 66, so that in effect the oppositeends of the plate are bifurcated or'yoke-shaped with yoke arms 67. Thematerial of the plate 65 is resiliently yieldable, and the yoke arms 67are each formed at the outer edge with a friction pad 68 engageable withthe adjacent side 43 of the channel 38. The yoke arms 67 are resilientlyurged outwardly by means of a U-shaped leaf spring 69 having a centralportion seated at 70 on the plate 65 and opposite ends engageable, withthe yoke arms 67, so that the friction pads 68 frictionally engage theside walls 43.

In order to'effect movement of the friction plate 65 along the channel38 as the window sash is moved between theclosed and open positions, aconnecting link 74 has one end pivotally mounted at 75 on the frictionplate and the opposite end pivotally mounted at 76 on the link 41. Thus,when the lower end of the sash is swung-outwardly, and the upper end ofthe link 41 is swung outwardly, the connecting link 74 will pull thefriction slide 65 downwardly along the channel 38. Conversely, when thewindow is returned toward 5 closed position, the link 74 will push theslide 65 upwardly in the channel 38. Contact of the friction pads 68with the walls 43 of the channel 38 retards movementof the window sashand the sash will remain in any of an infinite number of open positionsto which it may be adjusted.

cuate path about pivotal mounting 45. At the same time that the link 40swings about the pivot 45, the slide 46 also moves downwardly in thechannel of the frame member 38, and the upper edge of the sash flange 32moves approximately through a path esignated by the lineb in FIG. 1. Theintermeshing gearing on the links 40 and 74 assures that outwardmovement of the lower portion of the sash also results in outwardmovement of the upper portion of the sash in a manner to avoid damage tothe Weatherstripping.

The hinge is. generally suitable for application to metal frame awningor hopper sash windows. When applied to an awning sash window, the framemember 38 is fastened to the frame jamb 24 in the position shown,

with the upper end 88 of the frame member abutting or near the upperinside corner of the frame 20. Accordingly, the upper endof the sashmember 39 is adjacent to the same frame inside corner when the sash isin closed position. For hopper type sash, the hinges are located nearthe bottom'of the window in the reverse position to that illustrated anddescribed above.

When the sash 21 is in closed position in relationship to the frame 20,the hinge is in the closed position illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, andthe top rail 25 of the sash is adjacent to the head 23 of the frame. InFIG. 1, the sash 21 is shown in open position, and the hinge'is likewise shown in open position. To open or close the sash, force may beapplied against the bottom rail 26 thereof, by hand or through amechanical. sash operator.

As the sash 21 is opened, the bottom rail 26 thereof swings outwardly,and its top rail 25 moves outwardly and downwardly as indicated by thepath b. The fully open position of the sash is illustrated in FIG. 1.Oscillatory motion of the link 41 is transmitted through the connectinglink 74 and effects reciprocal movement of the slidable friction device46 along the frame member 38. The leaf springs 69 urge the friction pads68 into contact with the side walls 43 of the frame member 38, and thefriction thus developed is calculated to retain the window in any of itsopen positions. The design and proportion of the linkage components ofthe hinge, and the pivotal relation of them to the frame mounting memberand the sash member 39 is preferably such that the center of gravity ofthe sash 21 moves outwardly along a path of movement which is generallyhorizontal, so that vertical lifting and lowering of the sash is minimaland the sash is well balanced. Accordingly, frictional resistancedeveloped by the pads 67 may be of a low order thereby minimizing wear.

In the sash closed portion, the sash member 39 is disposed adjacent theframe member 38 and gears 80 and 82 retain the window in closed positionagainst an opening force applied to the top of the window. As windowopening force is applied against the bottom rail 26 of the sash, itfulcrums on the pivot pin 50, and the top rail of the sash is cantedinwardly. During such sash opening movement, the top edge of the sashtop rail 25 moves outwardly and downwardly away from the frame head 23,and the related Weatherstrip 31 is moved away from the window framewithout significant scuffing which leads to premature deterioration.Simultaneously, the sash surface 36 moves outwardly away from theWeatherstrip 34 without damage to the latter. When the sash is returnedto the closed position, the upper portion of the sash moves through asimilar return path which avoids excessive deformation of theWeatherstripping.

While the invention is illustrated in an arrangement with the hingelinkage interconnecting members 38 and 39 attachable to the window frameand window sash respectively, it should be understood that the linkagemay be mounted directly on the window frame and the window sash.

We claim:

1. A hinge for pivotally supporting a window sash for angular openingand closing movement relative to a window frame, comprising,

a. a window frame bar,

b. a window sash bar,

c. a plate slidably supported on said window frame bar,

d. a first link pivotally connected to the plate and pivotally connectedto the window sash bar,

e. a second link pivotally connected to the window frame bar and thewindow sash bar,

f. a third link pivotally connected to the plate and to said secondlink, and

g. gearing connecting the first and third links for angular movementproportional to each other.

2. A hinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the plate has friction padsthereon engageable with the window frame bar and means urging thefriction pads toward the window frame bar.

3, A hinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the window frame bar is formedwith a channel and the plate comprises friction material slidablymounted in the channel and having bifurcated extensions at oppositeends, together with means biasing the bifurcated extensions outwardly toengage the side walls of the channel.

4. A hinge as defined in claim 3, wherein said biasing means includes abowed leaf spring engaging the bifurcated extensions at each end of thefriction plate to urge the latter outwardly.

5. A hinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the first link is relativelyshort and extends away from the second link when the window sash bar isin closed position, the second link is relatively long and extendstoward the first link when the window sash bar is in closed position,the third link has a length intermediate the lengths of the first andsecond links, and said gearing comprises intermeshing gear teeth on thefirst and third links so that such links move equal angular distancesrelative to the friction device.

6. A friction hinge for pivotally mounting a window sash for angularopening and closing movement relative to a window frame, comprising,

a. a window frame member adapted to be stationarily secured to a windowframe,

b. a window sash member adapted to be stationarily secured to a windowsash,

c. a friction device slidably mounted on the window frame member,

d. a relatively short first link pivotally mounted on the frictiondevice and pivotally connected to the window sash member adjacent oneend of the latter to permit limited movement of said one end relative tosaid friction device,

e. a relatively long second link pivotally mounted on said window framemember in spaced relation relative to said friction device and pivotallyconnected to said window sash member to permit relatively greatermovement of the opposite end of the window sash member relative to thewindow frame member,

f. a third link pivotally connected to the friction device and pivotallyconnected to the second link for retarding movement of the window sashmember,

and

g. gearing connecting the first and third links for movementproportional to each other so that when said opposite end of the sashmember swings outwardly, said one end of the sash member also swingsoutwardly.

7. A window sash friction hinge as defined in claim 6, wherein thewindow sash member is mounted for movement from a retracted position inwhich the members confront each other and the links are substantiallyparallel with the members, to an extended position in which the windowsash member is inclined relative to the window frame member, said secondlink extending toward said friction device and said first link extendingaway from said second link when the window sash member is in retractedposition, and said gearing comprises intermeshing gear teeth on theadjacent ends of the first and third links, so that said one end of thewindow sash member moves outwardly and along the window frame memberwhile said opposite end of the window sash member moves outwardly to anextended position relative to said window frame member.

8. A window sash friction hinge as defined in claim 6, wherein thefriction device comprises a plate slidable on the window sash member andhaving friction pads engageable with the window frame member toyieldably hold the sash member in adjusted positions.

1. A hinge for pivotally supporting a window sash for angular openingand closing movement relative to a window frame, comprising, a. a windowframe bar, b. a window sash bar, c. a plate slidably supported on saidwindow frame bar, d. a first link pivotally connected to the plate andpivotally connected to the window sash bar, e. a second link pivotallyconnected to the window frame bar and the window sash bar, f. a thirdlink pivotally connected to the plate and to said second link, and g.gearing connecting the first and third links for angular movementproportional to each other.
 2. A hinge as defined in claim 1, whereinthe plate has friction pads thereon engageable with the window frame barand means urging the friction pads toward the window frame bar.
 3. Ahinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the window frame bar is formed witha channel and the plate comprises friction material slidably mounted inthe channel and having bifurcated extensions at opposite ends, togetherwith means biasing the bifurcated extensions outwardly to engage theside walls of the channel.
 4. A hinge as defined in claim 3, whereinsaid biasing means includes a bowed leaf spring engaging the bifurcatedextensions at each end of the friction plate to urge the latteroutwardly.
 5. A hinge as defined in claim 1, wherein the first link isrelatively short and extends away from the second link when the windowsash bar is in closed position, the second link is relatively long andextends toward the first link when the window sash bar is in closedposition, the third link has a length intermediate the lengths of thefirst and second links, and said gearing comprises intermeshing gearteeth on the first and third links so that such links move equal angulardistances relative to the friction device.
 6. A friction hinge forpivotally mounting a window sash for angular opening and closingmovement relative to a window frame, comprising, a. a window framemember adapted to be stationarily secured to a window frame, b. a windowsash member adapted to be stationarily secured to a window sash, c. afriction device slidably mounted on the window frame member, d. arelatively short first link pivotally mounted on the friction device andpivotally connected to the window sash member adjacent one end of thelatter to permit limited movement of said one end relative to saidfriction device, e. a relatively long second link pivotally mounted onsaid window frame member in spaced relation relative to said frictiondevice and pivotally connected to said window sash member to permitrelatively greater movement of the opposite end of the window sashmember relative to the window frame member, f. a third link pivotallyconnected to the friction device and pivotally connected to the secondlink for retarding movement of the window sash member, and g. gearingconnecting the first and third links for movement proportional to eachother so that when said opposite end of the sash member swingsoutwardly, said one end of the sash member also swings outwardly.
 7. Awindow sash friction hinge as defined in claim 6, wherein the windowsash member is mounted for movement from a retracted position in whichthe members confront each other and the links are substantially parallelwith the members, to an extended position in which the window sashmember is inclined relative to the window frame member, said second linkextending toward said friction device and said first link extEnding awayfrom said second link when the window sash member is in retractedposition, and said gearing comprises intermeshing gear teeth on theadjacent ends of the first and third links, so that said one end of thewindow sash member moves outwardly and along the window frame memberwhile said opposite end of the window sash member moves outwardly to anextended position relative to said window frame member.
 8. A window sashfriction hinge as defined in claim 6, wherein the friction devicecomprises a plate slidable on the window sash member and having frictionpads engageable with the window frame member to yieldably hold the sashmember in adjusted positions.